Hallmarks of Left Ventricular Apical Cardiac Mass in a Young Patient.

We present the case of a young patient with an apical cardiac mass exhibiting an anterior pseudonecrosis pattern on the electrocardiogram. Cardiac ultrasound revealed a hyperechoic mass infiltrating the apical wall. However, cardiac magnetic resonance ruled out signs of infiltration and demonstrated significant contrast uptake.

Maternal occupational exposures during early stages of pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes in the NINFEA birth-cohort.

Objectives: Maternal occupational exposures during early pregnancy can be detrimental to foetus health and have short- and long-term health effects on the child. This study examined their association with adverse birth outcomes.

Methods: The study included 3938 nulliparous women from the Italian NINFEA mother-child cohort.

Multimodality Imaging in the Diagnostic Work-Up of Patients With Cardiac Masses: State-of-the-Art Review.

Cardiac masses encompass a diverse range of benign and malignant tumors as well as pseudotumors. Accurate histologic identification is essential for guiding appropriate treatment, yet the diagnostic process remains challenging. Although biopsy is traditionally the diagnostic gold standard, its invasive nature and associated risks limit its application.

A Personalized Approach to Vitamin D Supplementation in Cardiovascular Health Beyond the Bone: An Expert Consensus by the Italian National Institute for Cardiovascular Research.

Vitamin D is increasingly recognized for its role in cardiovascular health beyond its well-established effects on bone metabolism. This review synthesizes findings from observational studies, interventional trials, and meta-analyses to clarify the mechanisms through which vitamin D impacts cardiovascular health, including its influence on vascular function, inflammation, and metabolic pathways. Additionally, this review emphasizes the importance of a personalized approach to vitamin D supplementation, integrating individual cardiovascular risk profiles, baseline vitamin D levels, and comorbid conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes.

Comprehensive Non-invasive Versus Invasive Approach to Evaluate Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in Heart Transplantation: The CCTA-HTx Study.

Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is emerging as a valuable tool for noninvasive surveillance of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in patients with heart transplant (HTx). We assessed the diagnostic performance of a comprehensive CCTA-based approach compared with the invasive reference, which includes invasive coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound, and fractional flow reserve, for detecting CAV.

Methods: This was a multicenter prospective study including 37 patients with HTx who underwent CCTA, invasive coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound, and fractional flow reserve.

[Subepicardial hematoma: a rare complication after percutaneous coronary intervention].

We report the case of a 78-year-old patient with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the right coronary artery, subsequently found to have a large subepicardial mass. The patient underwent a non-invasive multimodal diagnostic work-up including cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, which led to the diagnosis of subepicardial hematoma following coronary perforation during primary PCI. Due to clinical stability and absence of active bleeding sources, the patient was managed conservatively with gradual absorption of the mass and favorable prognostic outcome.

SGLT2-inhibitors in diabetic patients with severe aortic stenosis and cardiac damage undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Background: A substantial number of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) experience adverse events after TAVI, with health care expenditure. We aimed to investigate cardiac remodeling and long-term outcomes in diabetic patients with severe AS, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%, and extra-valvular cardiac damage (EVCD) undergoing TAVI treated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) versus other glucose-lowering strategies (no-SGLT2i users).

Methods: Multicenter international registry of consecutive diabetic patients with severe AS, LVEF < 50%, and EVCD undergoing TAVI.

Machine learning in causal inference for epidemiology.

In causal inference, parametric models are usually employed to address causal questions estimating the effect of interest. However, parametric models rely on the correct model specification assumption that, if not met, leads to biased effect estimates. Correct model specification is challenging, especially in high-dimensional settings.

Noninvasive Assessment in Takotsubo Syndrome: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a transient left ventricular dysfunction whose diagnosis can be challenging due to its resemblance to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Despite the growing recognition of TTS, acute complications and long-term mortality rates are comparable to those observed in AMI patients. In this context, a systematic diagnostic approach is imperative for an accurate patient assessment, with due consideration of the distinctive characteristics and optimal timing of each imaging modality.

Cancer and Heart Failure: Dangerous Liaisons.

Cancer and heart failure (HF) are increasingly relevant worldwide, both from an epidemiologic and clinical point of view. This review aims to explore the relationship between cancer and HF by underscoring risk factors and disclosing the cardiotoxic effects of the current chemotherapy agents. We also deal with the current evidence on the diagnosis and management of HF related to cancer therapy.

MISSH: Fast Hashing of Multiple Spaced Seeds.

Alignment-free analysis of sequences has revolutionized the high-throughput processing of sequencing data within numerous bioinformatics pipelines. Hashing k-mers represents a common function across various alignment-free applications, serving as a crucial tool for indexing, querying, and rapid similarity searching. More recently, spaced seeds, a specialized pattern that accommodates errors or mutations, have become a standard choice over traditional k-mers.

Impact of Newly Diagnosed Cancer on Bleeding Events in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Treated with Direct Oral Anticoagulants.

Background: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the association between cancer and cardioembolic or bleeding risk during oral anticoagulant therapy still remains unclear.

Purpose: We aimed to assess the impact of cancer present at baseline (CB) or diagnosed during follow-up (CFU) on bleeding events in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for non-valvular AF (NVAF) compared with patients without CB or CFU, respectively.

Methods: All consecutive patients with NVAF treated with DOACs for stroke prevention were enrolled between January 2017 and March 2019.

Socioeconomic position during pregnancy and pre-school exposome in children from eight European birth cohort studies.

Distribution of environmental hazards and vulnerability to their effects vary across socioeconomic groups. Our objective was to analyse the relationship between child socioeconomic position (SEP) at birth and the external exposome at pre-school age (0-4 years). This study included more than 60,000 children from eight cohorts in eleven European cities (Oslo, Copenhagen, Bristol, Bradford, Rotterdam, Nancy, Poitiers, Gipuzkoa, Sabadell, Valencia and Turin).

Liquid nitrogen-based cryoablation: complication rates for lung, bone, and soft tissue tumors cryoablation.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the complication rate during and 24 hours after cryoablation in lung, bone, and soft tissue tumors.

Methods: We reviewed complications in a total of 85 consecutive patients who underwent cryoablation using a liquid nitrogen-based system in various lesions between April 2017 and October 2022. There were no liver and renal lesions.